The alleged successor to Vasseur has directly addressed worrying rumours – In summer 2025, Ferrari was once again at the centre of intense scrutiny from within and without. In June, a wave of reports from leading Italian media outlets cast doubt on the future of team principal Fred Vasseur, reigniting the familiar narrative in Maranello: when results do not meet expectations, leadership inevitably comes under fire.
Ferrari moved decisively to quash the speculation just weeks later by extending Vasseur’s contract. The debate continued, particularly after one prominent name was repeatedly mentioned as a potential successor.
Italian media fan the flames of rumour
Italian newspapers such as La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera are known for their deep connections within Ferrari’s inner circles.
So when these publications question the authority or competence of a team principal, it is never an accident. It is clear that Ferrari’s long championship drought is an undeniable backdrop. They have not won a Drivers’ title since 2007 and not a Constructors’ crown since 2008.
Insiders have confirmed that some of the criticism aimed at Vasseur is deliberate and is being fuelled from within the organisation.
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The results are clear: Vasseur is in trouble at Ferrari
What is clear from a sporting point of view is that the concerns were justified. Ferrari had not won a Grand Prix since Carlos Sainz’s victory in Mexico in 2024. The ambitious target of fighting for the world championship was undoubtedly missed in dramatic fashion.
Expectations were sky-high following the blockbuster signing of Lewis Hamilton, but the move failed to deliver immediate success. The seven-time world champion was not at his best, and Charles Leclerc was almost always the quicker of the two Ferrari drivers.
Further, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Ferrari’s top management would closely analyse the team’s performances during a critical stretch of races in Canada, Austria, and Great Britain. The report confirms that these events will determine whether Vasseur stays for the full three years of his contract, which ends at the end of 2025. Corriere della Sera openly questioned whether the Frenchman was the right figure to lead Ferrari back to championship glory.
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The Coletta factor is a key consideration
Most notably, Corriere named a potential alternative: Antonello Coletta is the head of Ferrari’s endurance racing programme. He is highly respected in his field. Coletta, 59, had already built an exceptional reputation away from Formula 1.
Under his leadership, Ferrari returned to Le Mans with immediate success, securing a landmark victory in 2024 and following it up with the manufacturers’ world championship in 2025. His calm authority and proven winning record make him the clear choice for Ferrari should they decide to change course in Formula 1.
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Vasseur hits back
It was inevitable that the speculation would add fuel to an already volatile situation, and Vasseur was right to respond publicly. Speaking in Montreal, the Ferrari team principal was clearly frustrated. Adamant that while he could handle criticism himself, the constant rumours were damaging to the wider team.
“I have to be careful not to lose my temper here, otherwise I’ll end up with the race stewards! Basically, we’re talking about some media outlets going off the rails, not all of them. It’s not about me, I can handle criticism.”
“But some of the things being written are disrespectful to our team, and I don’t understand it. If it’s just about spreading nonsense, then that’s not helpful for us. Because we’re here in Canada now, and since the beginning of the week, that’s all we’ve been talking about. If that was their goal, then they’ve achieved it.”
Vasseur stated that the constant focus on potential replacements distracted the engineers and mechanics who were already under immense pressure to deliver results. He described the reporting as disrespectful and counterproductive, arguing that it created noise rather than solutions.
“As team manager, I knew what I was getting myself into. I have no problem with that. But it’s very difficult for the team. They work so hard, and all they hear is, he’s being replaced, and he’s being replaced, and he’s useless. I don’t want to generalise about all journalists, but this is unacceptable, disrespectful, and stupid.”
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Ferrari tries to draw a line
Ferrari responded swiftly and decisively. The Scuderia announced a contract extension for the 57-year-old Vasseur “by several years,” without disclosing the exact length. The move was clearly intended to send a message of stability, both internally and externally, at a time when Formula 1 is approaching a major regulatory reset in 2026.
There was just one question left: what did the supposed successor himself think about the situation?
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Coletta breaks his silence
Antonello Coletta gave a direct response to the rumours in an interview with Formula Passion, speaking calmly and with measured confidence. He emphasised that both he and Vasseur were focused on their respective responsibilities and dismissed the speculation as a natural byproduct of difficult periods.
“Fred and I are going our own way and doing our jobs. It’s clear that rumours circulate in difficult times, but that’s normal. We all work for the same company, so I don’t see anything unusual about these assumptions.”
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New regulations, fresh opportunities
Coletta highlighted the broader context of Formula 1’s transformation. With new technical regulations on the horizon, Ferrari must unite and avoid division to succeed. He emphasised the trust placed in Ferrari’s workforce and confirmed that cooperation across departments is functioning smoothly.
“This is an important time in Formula 1, a time of change with the new regulations. We are waiting for the new car to arrive. We trust our employees. We are all working together perfectly.”
Coletta was adamant that there are no imminent conditions that would justify a leadership change.
“As far as I’m concerned, I have an excellent relationship with Fred. We recently had dinner together and communicated calmly. Objectively speaking, there are no conditions for a change in the near future, for either of us. We will continue to focus on our own work.”
It is clear that Ferrari is determined to project stability. Vasseur has the company’s renewed backing, and Coletta has publicly distanced himself from succession talk.
This unity will undoubtedly be questioned further as the pressure of results and expectations continues to build.
NEXT ARTICLE: Contract bombshell for Lewis Hamilton, new details leaked in the German press
Fresh revelations surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari have rocked Formula 1, with new reports suggesting his contract with the Scuderia is significantly longer than initially assumed. According to Bild, the seven-time world champion is secured not only for the upcoming regulatory era, but also for a period well beyond 2026.
The German publication claims that Hamilton’s Ferrari deal runs until at least the end of the 2027 Formula 1 season. Even more intriguingly, the contract reportedly includes a unilateral option that would allow Hamilton to extend his stay by a further year, potentially keeping him at Ferrari until the end of 2028.
Hamilton’s clause
If he activates this clause, he will be 43 years old when the agreement expires. This information from BILD contrasts sharply with the widespread belief that Hamilton’s commitment to Ferrari would end in 2026, when the new engine regulations come into effect.
Neither Hamilton nor Ferrari has publicly confirmed the precise duration of the contract. When the blockbuster move was officially announced in February 2024, both parties described it only as a ‘multi-year’ agreement, leaving room…READ MORE
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